Robot Service Coordination Using Position-Aware External Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing service provision systems face challenges in effectively utilizing service devices due to constraints related to the positional relationship between movable devices and service devices, limiting the provision of services as devices may not be easily mountable on robots and require external control.
Innovation Solution
A service provision system that includes a service control server to manage device information, an operation management server to manage service information, and a device control server to control specific service devices, allowing the movable device to request and manage device information, determine service availability, and adjust its position to access necessary service devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If service devices are installed outside of the robot, then the robot body size and shape constraints are relaxed, but the positional relationship between the robot and service devices becomes a limiting factor
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the service provision functionality into two separate components: the movable robot body and the stationary service devices. The robot body contains only the necessary locomotion and control components, while service devices (display, audio, etc.) are installed separately at service locations. This segmentation allows the robot to remain compact while still providing comprehensive services through coordination with external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a service management server as an intermediary that coordinates between the robot and service devices. The server receives service requests from the robot, determines the appropriate service devices based on positional relationships, and manages the activation and control of these devices. This intermediary resolves the coordination complexity between movable and stationary components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the robot moves to different positions, then it can access different service devices, but the system complexity for managing positional relationships increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the robot reports its position to the service management server, which then determines the appropriate service devices based on the robot's current location. The server provides feedback to the robot about which services are available and which devices should be activated. This feedback mechanism automates the complex positional coordination without requiring complex onboard processing in the robot.
Solution Approach 2:
The service management server pre-establishes the relationships between service devices and their optimal service areas or zones. Before the robot arrives at a location, the server has already determined which devices should be activated based on the robot's reported position. This preliminary determination simplifies real-time decision-making and reduces the computational burden during robot operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If service devices are physically separated from the robot, then device mounting constraints are relaxed, but information display becomes meaningless without proper positional correlation
Solution Approach 1:
The service management server acts as an intermediary that ensures proper correlation between the robot's position and the activation of display devices. When the robot is within the service area of a display device, the server activates that device to show relevant information. This intermediary ensures that information is displayed effectively even though the physical separation exists, by managing the logical connection between position and display activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically activates and deactivates service devices based on the robot's real-time position. Display devices are not continuously active but are dynamically enabled only when the robot is in their service area, ensuring that information is displayed effectively. This dynamic approach maintains display reliability while allowing physical separation and flexible mounting of devices.
Data Source
AI summary
In a service provision system utilizing a movable device such as a robot, a service is realized, in which an external service device installed at a service location and the movable device cooperate with each other. A position of the movable device as well as an installation position and an availability range of the service devices are managed at a service provision location; when the movable device provides a service, an availability of a service device necessary for the service is determined, and when there is a service device not available, the robot is moved to a position where the service device becomes available.